NBA at 75
The season-long celebration of the NBA’s 75th anniversary is winding down. As part of The Associated Press series on the NBA’s first 75 years, Commissioner Adam Silver offered perspective on what the league could look like 25 years from now when it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Two of the NBA’s most significant dynasties emerged in the second decade of the 2000s. LeBron James teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a Miami Heat super team that reached four straight finals, winning a pair of championships.
LeBron James highlight the 2010s all-decade team for the NBA, as voted on by AP Sports staffers directly engaged with the NBA At 75 season-long series.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — (2000 Package)
Michael Jordan retires at the age of 40 for the third and final time after an illustrious basketball career.
Michael Jordan retires at the age of 40 for the third and final time after an illustrious basketball career.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — (2000 Package)
Kobe Bryant shoots and keeps shooting from all over the court and from every angle.
Kobe Bryant shoots and keeps shooting from all over the court and from every angle.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — (2000s Package)
The “Malice at the Palace” starts as a disagreement between Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest and Detroit Pistons power forward Ben Wallace and becomes one of the worst incidents in sports history.
The “Malice at the Palace” starts as a disagreement between Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest and Detroit Pistons power forward Ben Wallace and becomes one of the worst incidents in sports history.
NEW YORK (AP) — (2000 Package)
A star-studded draft takes place with 18-year-old phenom LeBron James picked No. 1.
A star-studded draft takes place with 18-year-old phenom LeBron James picked No. 1.
Timeline of the National Basketball Association from its founding as the Basketball Association of America through the 2000s.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal highlight the 2000s all-decade team for the NBA, as voted on by AP Sports staffers directly engaged with the NBA At 75 season-long series.
Michael Jordan gave way to LeBron James in the NBA of the 2000s, just as traditional forms of communication began to yield to the birth and growth of new media.
With the NBA booming in the 1990s and women’s sports in the headlines following the 1996 Olympics, Commissioner David Stern felt it was time to start a professional women’s basketball league.
A timeline of the National Basketball Association in the 1990s, including milestone moments around the world and in the league’s history as the NBA celebrates its 75th season:
The NBA recognized the popularity of the women’s game in 1996 as its Board of Governors approved plans to start a new pro basketball league the following summer.
The “Dream Team” with the first U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team to field active NBA players rolled to gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Michael Jordan stunned the NBA by announcing his retirement, saying he had lost the desire to play basketball months after his father, James Jordan, was murdered.
Michael Jordan had just won his first championship, beating Magic Johnson in the NBA Finals. They were poised to lead a Dream Team the world couldn’t wait to watch.
CHARLES BARKLEY
Known as the “Round Mound of Rebound,” the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Barkley had exceptional agility given his build.
Known as the “Round Mound of Rebound,” the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Barkley had exceptional agility given his build.
Dominique Wilkins was born in Paris. He’s lived in Dallas, Oklahoma and Baltimore. He played pro ball in NBA cities like Los Angeles, Boston, San Antonio and Orlando.
Hall of Famer Julius Erving says the commercial success he and other NBA players enjoyed in the 1980s didn’t just happen. The NBA champion known as Dr.
When the 1980’s began, the NBA “was in trouble.” Drug abuse among players was believed to be rampant. Many arenas were half-empty or worse on game nights.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (AP) — Rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson steps in and plays center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the NBA Finals with his Los Angeles Lakers holding a 3-2 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers.
BOSTON (AP) — June 12, 1984: The Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-102 in Game 7 in the first NBA Finals between Boston’s Larry Bird and Los Angeles’ Magic Johnson.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks outduels rookie Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls in an epic slam dunk contest.
Michael Jordan scores 63 points in a 135-131 double-overtime playoff loss to the Boston Celtics. Jordan broke records held by Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain
Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird headline the 1980s all-decade team for the NBA, as voted on by AP Sports staffers directly engaged with the NBA At 75 season-long series.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — (Editor’s Note: As part of its 75th-anniversary celebration, the NBA compiled a roster of 75 players who, according to the league, were “selected for being pioneers that have helped shape, define, and redefine the game.”
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Even the biggest games were on tape-delay. Anyone who sat through what the NBA had to offer in the 1970s could see this was a league that struggled with the spotlight.
The longest game yet at the NBA Finals happens between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns at the Boston Garden with the series tied at 2 apiece.
Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers leveled Rudy Tomjanovich of the Houston Rockets during a scuffle.
Timeline of the National Basketball Association during the 1970s. The timeline includes milestone moments in the league’s history and key moments off the court as the NBA celebrates its 75th season:
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR